Comments on: Sharp Solar Breaks Conversion Efficiency Record

By: Gregory Smith

Gregory Smith — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:21:37 +0000

We’ve been discussing this energy conversion process for over a year now, so it is great to see a manufacturer use what the NREL labs discovered last year. However, they need to look at through-put to increase the volume of electricity acceptable, which would multiply the efficiency by 2X to approximately 68% efficient. How is this done? By allowing the cascade of electrons to continue to the conversion point at the inverter or direct current junction. By use of proprietary wire and connections within the panel, the wasted heat energy can be allowed to flow out all the way to the converter, reducing heat by 30% and increasing throughput by about 37%. And yes you can contact me…

By: Jess

Jess — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:43:08 +0000

I am curious what the expected lifespan for these cells? Is this particular InGaAs technology better than current silicon at ~25 years?

By: GYANENDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

GYANENDRA PRAKASH JOSHI — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:51:09 +0000

m/s emcore and spectrolab have already claimed long back that triple junction cells manufactured by them have efficiencies more than 38% at higher concentrations ie at 500 suns(500 watts per metre sq ). This I have verified by conducting measurements.It is not clear whether the efficiencies touted 35.8% is at what irradiance ie watts/sq meter.I expect clarification by M/S SHARP.

By: Jos Conil

Jos Conil — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:20:19 +0000

The “miles to go” remark is true in today’s context because the efficiency of today’s solar cell is very very low. A glance at the energy figures below is enough to convince us about the vast unused potential of the Sun.

The total solar energy absorbed by earth’s atmosphere, oceans and landmasses per year is about 3,850,000 exajoules (EJ) while the total energy use as per 2005 figures is 487 EJ(primary energy use) + 56.7 EJ(electrical energy) =543.7 EJ, which means that harnessing about 1/7000 of the total solar energy can meet all our needs!.

Obviously, all that solar energy-esp the parts absorbed by air & earth- is not available for PV electric conversion, but considering the fact that we need only a minuscule fraction to meet our needs, it is very evident that any increase in solar cell efficiency and cost effectiveness is good news for the world.

By: Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:02:04 +0000

IMO Low efficiency vs. cost is a weak sales pitch. If your solar panels get shaded they cease to function and another resource is wasted. Plastering them ‘all over your’ house isn’t going to bring your price per watt down.

By: Esteban Rafael Negrete Montero

Esteban Rafael Negrete Montero — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:01:46 +0000

It’s not so far away… Cell efficiency is still relatively low, compared to what theory says we can achieve (nanotechnology will help a lot in this in the future), and the decent cells are extremely expensive. What is really near is thin film technology, in which cells are actually printed on to a plastic substrate. Even if the efficiency is rather low compared to other cells, the will over compensate with their extremely low cost. Just imagine going to your local home-depot, getting a roll of “plastic”, unravel it over the roof like if it was wallpaper and covering all the roof, and even maybe the walls of the house!

We are not miles away of green tech, its just the market follows what people buy. We need to change the people, not the market or the tech.

By: Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:01:20 +0000

I have used solar to power my office and supplement my vehicles successfully for years. I think in my case many miles have been covered by the fossil fuels not used while idling or working…

By: Eric Spindler

Eric Spindler — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:01:01 +0000

I disagree with the statement “miles to cover” because it makes people think it’s too big a challenge to break away from fossil fuels. The first step in that chain is to conserve and not over-use fossil fuels…act like there is a ration going on.

Keep in mind, the government was giving tax credits to people who upgrade to alternate energy in their home and at businesses.

How many years have we been buying solar powered garden lights?…It is THAT simple. Let’s start build co-ops in our neighborhoods and get the monkey off our backs.

By: Gary Schabel

Gary Schabel — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:33:45 +0000

Great, but whats the cost? May be to expensive even with the high efficiency. Even if they are cheep, with out storage they only solve half the problem.